Jordan Sklansky: 2025 candidate for Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102

Bio

Office sought: Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102 (Vote for 4)

City: Buffalo Grove

Age: 46

Occupation: Engineer

Previous offices held: District 102 board member since 2021

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I believe in educating the whole child. This means not just academics but social emotional, world skills, and meeting every child where they are. I hope to protect those ideals for our kids in the form of the best programming and environment to learn in. I also want to make sure our teachers and administration have what they need to achieve this goal.

What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum?

A board’s main role is not to set curriculum directly, but are tasked with monitoring the District performance to state goals and requirements which assesses the effectiveness of that curriculum. From there it’s a partnership working with administration if improvements were needed.

Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

None at this time.

How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

It is our job to give our community members a voice during all open meetings. Visitor comments and questions are an important part of the agenda and gives everyone an opportunity to speak no matter what their view. Board policies affirm this opportunity and it’s our job as a board to uphold them. I would much rather try to resolve questions or issues locally between the community, board, and administration than deferring to state authorities.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board.

Our board is high functioning and has effective and respectful conversations about all policy matters. My style is about everyone getting a voice, and summarizing to make sure we understand each other correctly, and have extensive experience operating this way. At the end of the day there is a policy committee that makes a recommendation to the board as a whole, and the board as a whole then votes on changes. Here is where 7 members may not always agree on everything but we all get a vote. I think this is effective as we all have the kids, staff, administration, and community top of mind, and we got there in a respectful way.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, of would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

I believe that we all need to be ethical and globally minded citizens. The world is a big place and there are a lot of different types of people that make up our community. Everyone has something to contribute to the greatness of our schools regardless if they are “requirements” or not.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have a passion for efficiency, fairness, and making sure people have what they need. I like to see the direct impact of my volunteering in the lives of our children and it makes me so happy to give back. I also have a lot of energy to contribute to this position and would like to continue to serve!

What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

Bring back typing lessons :-)